A large rat started to explore the downstairs waiting room of the Union depot about 9 o'clock last night, and for a few moments the scene was reminiscent of the finale of the first act of a musical comedy.

The rat came rambling through the gate at which L. J. Kinney holds the throttle. Kinney whooped and the rat fled through to the waiting room and made a dash toward the information bureau.

Those who didn't scream, yelled. Those who didn't throw their suitcases at the rat, stood on them. Everyone tried to get away from the rat, which was dodging around, looking for a place to hide. He found it.

Spying the Home telephone desk, he saw safety. H e dashed across from the information bureau under the desk.

Miss Alta Powers, the telephone operator, was sitting bravely at the desk until the rat made his dash for life. Then Miss Powers shrieked and the telephone office was hors de combat for the rest of the evening.